Podcast
Questions and Answers
What is the main difference between natural sciences and social sciences according to some sociologists?
What is the main difference between natural sciences and social sciences according to some sociologists?
- Natural sciences deal with quantitative methods, while social sciences deal with qualitative methods
- Natural sciences deal with matter, while social sciences deal with human behavior (correct)
- Natural sciences deal with consciousness, while social sciences deal with unconsciousness
- Natural sciences deal with humans, while social sciences deal with nature
Why was sociology able to develop in Europe in the 19th century?
Why was sociology able to develop in Europe in the 19th century?
- Because of the interest in qualitative methods
- As a result of the decline of natural sciences
- Due to the influence of natural sciences on social sciences
- Because of massive social changes resulting from industrialization (correct)
What do positivists in sociology advocate for?
What do positivists in sociology advocate for?
- The rejection of natural sciences' influence on social sciences
- The use of qualitative and humanistic methods
- The combination of quantitative and qualitative methods
- The use of scientific and quantitative methods (correct)
Why do some sociologists prefer interpretive methodology?
Why do some sociologists prefer interpretive methodology?
What is the current trend in sociological research?
What is the current trend in sociological research?
What is quantitative research in sociology mainly associated with?
What is quantitative research in sociology mainly associated with?
Why is it important to have a systematic way of producing knowledge in sociology?
Why is it important to have a systematic way of producing knowledge in sociology?
Which of the following is a fundamental characteristic of qualitative research?
Which of the following is a fundamental characteristic of qualitative research?
What is the term for understanding social entities as wholes to be explicated and understood in their entirety?
What is the term for understanding social entities as wholes to be explicated and understood in their entirety?
What do anti-positivists in sociology emphasize?
What do anti-positivists in sociology emphasize?
Which of the following is NOT a feature of qualitative research in sociology?
Which of the following is NOT a feature of qualitative research in sociology?
What is a limitation of quota sampling?
What is a limitation of quota sampling?
What is the primary advantage of snowball sampling?
What is the primary advantage of snowball sampling?
What does the emphasis on processual dimension in qualitative research convey about the social order?
What does the emphasis on processual dimension in qualitative research convey about the social order?
Why is quota sampling rarely used in practical work?
Why is quota sampling rarely used in practical work?
What is the name of the methodology that Weber explicitly stated as a commitment to viewing events from the perspective of the people being studied?
What is the name of the methodology that Weber explicitly stated as a commitment to viewing events from the perspective of the people being studied?
Why do qualitative researchers tend to argue that social life takes the form of streams of interconnecting events?
Why do qualitative researchers tend to argue that social life takes the form of streams of interconnecting events?
In quota sampling, what determines the selection of sample items?
In quota sampling, what determines the selection of sample items?
What is the result of the emphasis on processual dimension in qualitative research?
What is the result of the emphasis on processual dimension in qualitative research?
In snowball sampling, how are additional respondents obtained?
In snowball sampling, how are additional respondents obtained?
What is a potential problem with snowball sampling?
What is a potential problem with snowball sampling?
How can the concept of anomie be operationalised in the social sphere?
How can the concept of anomie be operationalised in the social sphere?
Why do qualitative researchers tend to favour a relatively open and unstructured research strategy?
Why do qualitative researchers tend to favour a relatively open and unstructured research strategy?
When is snowball sampling typically employed?
When is snowball sampling typically employed?
What is an essential characteristic of a good hypothesis in the scientific sense?
What is an essential characteristic of a good hypothesis in the scientific sense?
Why is it important to relate a hypothesis to a body of theory?
Why is it important to relate a hypothesis to a body of theory?
What is set up in a quota sample according to given criteria?
What is set up in a quota sample according to given criteria?
Why is it necessary to operationalise concepts in a hypothesis?
Why is it necessary to operationalise concepts in a hypothesis?
What can affect the results of an interview?
What can affect the results of an interview?
Why is uniformity in definition and meaning of concepts essential in hypothesis?
Why is uniformity in definition and meaning of concepts essential in hypothesis?
What is an example of an inverse relationship mentioned in the text?
What is an example of an inverse relationship mentioned in the text?
What is the advantage of unstructured interviews?
What is the advantage of unstructured interviews?
What type of research often employs structured interviews?
What type of research often employs structured interviews?
What is a limitation of interview data?
What is a limitation of interview data?
What is a concern with interviews?
What is a concern with interviews?
What should a hypothesis specify?
What should a hypothesis specify?
What can unstructured interviews help to clarify?
What can unstructured interviews help to clarify?
What should be considered while formulating a hypothesis?
What should be considered while formulating a hypothesis?
What is a difference between structured and unstructured interviews?
What is a difference between structured and unstructured interviews?
What did Katz's study in 1942 investigate?
What did Katz's study in 1942 investigate?
Study Notes
Research Methods and Analysis
- In the absence of a systematic way of producing knowledge, findings can be dismissed as guesswork or mere common sense assumptions.
- Sociology first developed in Europe in the 19th century as a response to industrialization and social changes, aiming to create a science of society based on natural science principles and procedures.
Positivist and Anti-Positivist Traditions
- Two broad traditions in sociology:
- Positivists: advocate the use of scientific and quantitative methods, associated with the 'positivist tradition'.
- Anti-positivists: support the use of more humanistic and qualitative methods, emphasizing the interpretive methodology to understand subjective meanings underlying social action.
Qualitative Research Methods
- Features of qualitative research in sociology:
- Empathetic description of social reality: focus on interpretation of meanings social actors attribute to their actions.
- Contextualism: understanding events, behavior, etc. in their socio-economic, political, and historical context.
- Emphasis on processual dimension: viewing social life in processual and dynamic terms, rather than static terms.
- Flexibility: favoring relatively open and unstructured research strategies.
Hypothesis and Data Collection
- A good hypothesis should:
- Be related to available techniques of data collection and interpretation.
- Specify the relationship between variables.
- Be related to a body of theory.
- Importance of operationalizing concepts, defining variables, and specifying relationships between them.
Quota Sampling and Snowball Sampling
- Quota sampling:
- A type of judgment sampling, where quotas are set up according to given criteria, but selection within quotas depends on personal judgment.
- Risk of bias and personal prejudice, rarely used in practical work.
- Snowball sampling:
- Begins with a few known respondents, who provide additional names, and so on.
- Advantages: reduced sample sizes and costs, but bias may enter due to similarity between respondents.
Structured and Unstructured Interviews
- Structured interviews:
- Largely employed in quantitative research, suitable for obtaining factual information (e.g., age, sex, income).
- Unstructured interviews:
- More appropriate for eliciting attitudes, opinions, and interests, providing more opportunity to discover what the respondent 'really means'.
- Interview data may not reflect respondents' normal routines, and there are problems of reliability and validity due to interaction situations and interviewer bias.
Studying That Suits You
Use AI to generate personalized quizzes and flashcards to suit your learning preferences.
Related Documents
Description
This quiz covers the development of sociology as a subject, its founders, and the importance of research methods in sociology. It also touches on the industrialization of Europe in the 19th century and its impact on social changes.
